Mixed Reception To End Of Road Work In Haddonfield

By David Madden

HADDONFIELD, N.J., (CBS) -- Normally people are pleased to see road construction work come to an end, particularly on a residential street. That's not necessarily the case in one Camden County town.

Sometime this week Grove Street in Haddonfield will reopen to traffic. Repaving work since summer has closed the road on and off between Route 70 and Kings Highway. And a sewer project before that was a major pain.

You'd think people living along the street would be glad to hear they'll be getting their road back. But truth be told, it's sort of a mixed blessing. Take Marilyn Senior-Gartman, who says on a normal day, "it's bumper to bumper traffic so now I haven't had any traffic." She told KYW Newsradio, "So it's 50-50. Either you have construction or you have bumper to bumper traffic and I can't get out my side street."

That sentiment is echoed by neighbor Dan Holben. "Actually, it's kind of nice having it closed," he said. When asked why, he responded "Well, a lot less traffic. It makes it much easier to get out of our house when the highway is closed."

Traffic on Grove Street has been detoured onto other nearby streets off and on this summer. Chances are those residents will more than likely be thrilled to get all those cars back where they're supposed to be.